Will the stars favour Pinarayi Vijayan, Mamata, Stalin and Himanta? What noted astrologers told THE WEEK

As election fervour peaks in the states heading to the polls in April, there is solid excitement in the air. Who will win, who will lose, who will bicker, and who will celebrate: it is still too early to say, especially as a significant section of voters may only make up their minds closer to polling day.

Yet, beyond conventional political analysis, there is also curiosity around what astrology has to say about the fate of prominent leaders and sitting chief ministers. Will Himanta Biswa Sarma return to power in Assam, as is being projected? Will Mamata Banerjee once again sit comfortably in the chief minister’s chair in Kolkata? Is the road ahead as smooth for M.K. Stalin in Tamil Nadu, as it appears? And, in Kerala, will Pinarayi Vijayan secure a third term, or could this mark the end of the only Communist government in the country?

Vijayan was born on May 24, 1945, Mamata was born on January 5, 1955, Stalin was born on March 1, 1953 and Sarma was born on February 1, 1969.

THE WEEK spoke to some well-known astrologers across the country to understand what the stars may hold for these key politicians.

“Mamata is going to create history—she will become the chief minister of West Bengal for the fourth time. Even this time, the BJP will not be able to secure a victory in West Bengal,” said Delhi-based astrologer Manish Aggarwal. In Assam, he predicted a BJP victory, with Sarma continuing as chief minister.

His biggest surprise, however, was Kerala. “The BJP will wave the flag of victory in Kerala, and the state will get a new chief minister,” he said. On Tamil Nadu, Aggarwal added: “The AIADMK-BJP alliance will face defeat. The DMK will win, but a new chief minister will be announced.”

Astrologer Vikkramm Chandirramani offered a different view on Kerala. “Astrologically, the UDF will win the elections, and Shashi Tharoor will emerge as a central force behind the campaign. Though Tharoor is not contesting, his stature and influence will rise significantly in the post-election power structure,” he said.

On Tamil Nadu, Chandirramani believes actor Vijay is being underestimated. “He will be the next chief minister, leading a coalition government. Expect major announcements from Vijay by the end of this month. He is likely to have a long and successful political innings,” he said.

In Assam, Chandirramani said, Sarma will secure a second term as chief minister.

Astrologer Chitrabhanu K. Poduval pointed to challenges for Mamata. “Presently there is a certain dosha in her chart. It will not be easy for her. There could be significant violence, and I see the BJP coming to power in the state,” he said. In Assam, he predicted a historic victory for the BJP.

On Tamil Nadu, Poduval said Stalin may fall short of the numbers needed to form the government. “The NDA will come to power with the support of a third force,” he said. Regarding Kerala, he said, “This is not a favourable time for Vijayan. The situation favours the Congress-led UDF. The BJP will significantly improve its position and could win a dozen or more seats.”

However, astrologer K.S. Unnikrishnan Panicker disagreed. “I see a 95 per cent chance of Pinarayi Vijayan returning to power in Kerala, and a 99 per cent chance for Stalin to return in Tamil Nadu,” he said. He also predicted the BJP’s best-ever performance in Kerala, estimating 5-6 seats for the party.

Elections to Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will be held in a single phase on April 9, while West Bengal and Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23. West Bengal, though, will have a two-phase election, with the second phase scheduled for April 29. Results will be out on May 4.

Many of the predictions made by well-known astrologers whom THE WEEK had consulted over the years for its articles on election outcomes and the political futures of prime ministers and prominent chief ministers have, in hindsight, appeared to hold true.

In 2017, three astrologers told THE WEEK that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would remain in power until 2029. At the time, the claim surprised many; yet, it seemed prescient when Modi secured a third term as prime minister in 2024.

On other occasions, astrologers featured had suggested that Rahul Gandhi was unlikely to become prime minister anytime soon—a view reflected in a 2018 report.

The only instance where these predictions missed the mark entirely was in March 2020, on the eve of the Covid-19 outbreak. In that report, barring one exception, most astrologers had predicted that the coronavirus would be eradicated within months. As the world would soon discover, that was far from reality. The pandemic went on to disrupt lives globally for nearly 2-2.5 years.